Boys are born bad

LEE — On Wednesday, Nov. 7 at 7 p.m., the N.H. Humanities Council, hosted by the Lee Library and the Lee Historical Society will present “Lively Boys, Lively Boys. The Origin of Bad Boy Books,” at the Lee Public Safety Complex.

The program will be presented by J. Dennis Robinson.

“Bad boy” genre in American literature dates back to two Portsmouth, N.H. authors, B.P. Shillaber and Thomas Adrich, who both wrote in the mid-18th century. The theory goes that boys are born to be bad; they must fight and fail their way to manhood. Parents who overprotect and direct their sons endanger their futures.

This program is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served following the meeting.